IIRC, 'mysql' log you into the mysql database (i.e. bring you to the mysql prompt). I believe you should be starting the server first with 'mysqld' or 'mysqld_safe', and then attempt logging into the server with 'mysql'.

I suspect you'll run into other problems when attempting to start the server, so if you do please post back and we'll help you get through those as well.

I believe the issue you are running into is caused because you need to install the default mysql database with 'mysql_install_db' as mysql user (or root) - that way the mysql daemon has a base database to connect to and work with. If you do this as root then you will need to recursively change ownership of the database directory to the mysql user (i.e. chown -R mysql:mysql /var/lib/mysql/).

I believe the issue you are running into is caused because you need to install the default mysql database with 'mysql_install_db' as mysql user (or root) - that way the mysql daemon has a base database to connect to and work with. If you do this as root then you will need to recursively change ownership of the database directory to the mysql user (i.e. chown -R mysql:mysql /var/lib/mysql/).

I expected the data directory to be there but since it's not you will need to determine where on your system the default database was installed (some possibilities are listed below):/var/lib/mysql/ (you said not here)/var/mysql//usr/lib/mysql/

The directory should be identifiable by containing files with the extension: .frm, .myd, .myi. Once you find that directory, perform the previous task using that directory path.

Great, you found it!! The next steps would be to change ownership of the directory to the 'mysql' user, start the mysql daemon/server, and change the root password. The next possible point of trouble is starting the server (mysqld_safe). Hopefully you do not see this line again:

Getting the server started--It seems to be looking in the wrong place for the data directory /var rather than /var/mysql. I wonder if the mysql.server script will work any better to get the daemon/server started. The command should be: ./etc/init.d/mysql.server start & (this is, of course, assuming the script is set to executable).

As an alternative: At this point you may also find that the service 'mysql' shows up in VASMs startup services section, and it may be as simple as checking the box and rebooting to get the mysql daemon started.

Just so you know, you are very close to getting the server started, and once you have it working you won't need to monkey with any of this again.

Unfortunately, work will take me away from this machine for a couple of days, but I should be able to check out your further suggestions from Thursday onwards. If there are any further problems, I'll let you know.